Electric rat-trap.



K. sTEFAN. ELECTRIC RAT TRAP. APPLICATION FILED JULY 2 4, 1911.

1,006,887. Patented 0015.24, 1911.

FIGJ

FIG.

WITNESS ES IN VENZOR. if. ate "aw COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH cu, WASHINGTON, D.c.

KARoLY STEFAN, or was]? PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

ELECTRIC RAT-TRAP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 24, 1911.

Application filed July 24, 1911. Serial No. 640,224.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, KARoLY STEFAN, a

subject of the King of Hungary, residing at West Philadelphia, in thecounty of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Electric Rat-Traps, of which thefollowing is a specification, reference being had therein to theaccompanying drawing.

This invention relates to electric rat traps, and more particularly tothat type of trap wherein tiltable platforms and a source of electricalenergy are utilized for electrocuting and entrapping a rodent.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple and durable trap thatcan be safely used to an advantage in stores and other buildingsinfested with rodents, for entrapping and electrocuting rats, the trapbeing constructed whereby the bodies of the rodents will be placed outof sight of other rodents and collected to be removed from time to time.

I attain the above objects by a mechanical construction that will behereinafter specifically described and then claimed, and reference willnow be had to the drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectionalview of the trap, showing the tiltable platforms in their normalposition, and Fig. 2 is a similar view showing one of the platformstilted.

A trap in accordance with this invention comprises a bottom plate 1 andvertical side walls 2, the side walls having the edges thereof beveled,as at 3 to accommodate inclined end walls 4 and 5, and the upper ends ofthe side walls are reduced or cut away, as at 6 to receive vertical endwalls 7, said walls supporting a top plate 8. The vertical end walls 7have the lower edges thereof engaging transverse platforms 9 supportedby the side walls 2 and the inclined end walls 4 and 5, these platformsproviding a footing for a rat prior to entering openings 10 in thevertical end walls 7. The inclined end wall 5 has the lower end thereofprovided with a doorway 11 normally closed by a slide or door 12, saidslide or door being arranged in guides 13, carried by the side edges ofthe inclined end wall 5. The upper edge of the slide or door 12 has aknob 14 to facilitate opening the same and said slide or door is limitedin its closing movement by a transverse ledge or lip 15, carried by thelower edge of the inclined end wall 5.

The bottom plate 1, walls 2, 4 and 5 provide a casing and the walls 2cotiperate with the vertical end walls 7 and the top 8 in providing ahousing upon the casing. Supported by the inclined sides of the walls 2,within the housing is a transverse partition 16 having hooks or holders.17 for pieces of bait 18.

Arranged between the side walls 2, directly beneath the partition 16 isa wedgeshaped electrode 19 and between the ends of this holder and theside walls 2 are plates of insulation 20. The electrode 19 is stationaryand is connected by wires 21 and 22 to a suitable source of electricalenergy, as batteries 23.

Arranged transversely of the trap, adjacent to the inner edges of theplatforms 9 and at a point removed from the horizontal plane of saidplatforms, are pivot rods 24 for tiltable platforms 25, said platformshaving depending bearings 26 loosely mounted upon the rods 24. The inneredges of the tiltable platforms 25 are in proximity to the transverseelectrode 19, the sides of said electrode being tapered or curved toprovide clearance for a swinging movement of the inner edges of saidplatforms. The outer edges of the tiltable platforms 25 are in proximityto the inner edges of the platforms 9 and are provided with dependingenlargements or weights 27 adapted to normally maintain the tiltableplatforms in a horizontal position, representing a continuation of thestationary transverse platforms 9. The platforms 25 are held by inwardlyprojecting pins 28, carried by the side walls 2, these pins limiting themovement of the platforms in one direction.

Arranged transversely of the trap, directly beneath the rods 24, isanother set of rods 29 and pivotally connected upon these rods are thebearings 30 of tiltable Z-shaped electrodes 31. These electrodes havethe lower ends thereof weighted or enlarged, as at 32 and saidelectrodes are normally supported in a horizontal position by inwardlyprojecting pins 33 carried by the side walls 2. The electrodes 31 are incircuit with the batteries 23 by wires 34 and 35 connected to the rods29, and the ends of the rods are mounted in blocks of insulation 36,carried by the walls 2.

The Weight of a rodents body upon the inner edge of one of the tiltableplatforms 25 is adapted to overbalance the platform and precipitate therodent against the electrode 19. As the platform 25 is tilted, itcontacts with the upper end of the tiltable electrode 31 and through themedium of a rodents body, completes a circuit that charges the body andeventually electrocutes it before the rodent is deposited into thecasing of the trap. Immediately upon the tiltable platform being free ofthe weight of the rodents body, the tiltable platform 25 and thetiltable electrode 31 are restored to their normal position, breakingthe circuit and placing the trap in condition to receive another rodent.

From the foregoing it will be observed that the trap comprises a casinghaving an open top With tiltable platforms adapted to be placed inengagement With tiltable electrodes by the weight of a rodent, the topof the casing having a suitable housing containing a bait. As suitableinsulation is provided for the electrodes, the remainder of the trap canbe made of metal or any other durable material.

What I claim is An electric rat trap comprising a casing, an electrodearranged transversely thereof and in circuit with a suitable source ofelectrical energy, tiltable platforms arranged in the top of said casingwith the inner edges thereof in proximity to said electrode, andtiltable electrodes arranged beneath said platforms and in circuit withthe same source of electric energy as said transverse electrode andadapted to be engaged by said tiltable platforms whereby a circuit willbe completed by a rodents body connecting said platforms and saidtransverse electrode.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in the presence of twowitnesses.

KAROLY STEFAN.

Witnesses:

J os. MAYER, H. Mr'iHLsoI-rLEGnL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. (1.

